June 2024 – Letter from the Editor

We’ve all been asked the question: “If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?” As a kid, I would say places like Montana or California, daydreaming about what life would be like elsewhere. But, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized there really isn’t anywhere else I’d want to live than right here in the Lowcountry. Don’t get me wrong, I love to travel and see other parts of the world, but I often find myself missing home even when I’m away.

There’s just something about it. The beach, the inlet, the weather, the people. It’s exactly where I want to be. I owe a lot of my appreciation for this place to my dad. Growing up, he would take us tubing on the waterway, spinning the boat in circles to make us hold on for dear life until we finally gave up and fell in. He taught me how to bait a hook so I could join him on fishing trips, how to drive a boat, and how to paddleboard. He even taught me how to shoot a shotgun, hoping I would join him on more hunting trips. Unfortunately for him, that hasn’t yet worked out how he’d hoped, but he’s still trying.

One of my favorite memories with my dad was a day we decided to go flats fishing, and he poled the boat around in a few inches of water so that I would have the chance to catch one of the redfish we were chasing. And it worked. I caught the biggest fish I’ve ever caught that day, and it’s a memory with him that I’ll hold onto forever.

Not only did my dad teach me to appreciate the outdoors, but he instilled in me the values of strength and independence. He has always pushed me out of my comfort zone because he knew, even when I didn’t, that I had more in me to give. And even though I’d be frustrated with him in the moment, I have come to realize that it was in those moments of discomfort that I truly grew into the woman I am today. 

Memories with my dad are some of the best I have of this beautiful place we get to call home. There’s a reason so many people vacation, have second homes, and retire here. Sometimes I take it all for granted, having the beach and the inlet just a mile away. Creating this issue has reminded me to slow down and truly enjoy all the amazing things about the Lowcountry. Most people dream of coming to a place like this, and we are lucky enough to call it home.